This past Sunday we celebrated Taylor’s first birthday with family, friends and a yummy BBQ. I kept it as simple as I could and focused on good, fresh food and a basic build-your-own style of bar. Having just arrived back home after 10 days of travel it was good for me to fall back on my favorites. My go-to party supplies for these sorts of festive events tend to be: paper lanterns, fresh flowers, fabric remnants (to create a table runner, line trays, etc) and classic white dishes. Most from my stash! I invested in a new remnant table runner ($3/yard) and three new paper lanterns decor wise. Love that feeling. Even if parties ’round our house eventually start to feel very similar :).
We fit 40 or 50 of our favorite friends into our cozy outdoor space, turned up some music and enjoyed a warm, sunny afternoon. Couldn’t have been happier with how it turned out!
My margarita spread was quickly supplemented with a build-your-own bloody mary bar a la the hubby, too ;).
The menu included: a cherry tomato, mozzarella, basil and balsamic salad – a summer honeydew plus cucumber and feta salad – a savory quinoa and avocado salad – watermelon, blackberry, feta and mint skewers – crispy coleslaw – baked figs with goat cheese and honey – grilled corn covered in melted lime butter and cotija cheese – amazing ‘fresh from the baker’ Mexican torta rolls and Kev’s overnight smoked pork shoulder sandwiches – homemade lemon sorbet and watermelon berry sorbet – sunflower sugar cookies. I had LOTS of help assembling. Recipes for my favorites to come.
As it goes with most one-year-olds, Taylor had no idea what to do with her little smash cake. Until all of Livy’s little friends introduced her to ‘icing’.
Happy birthday, little miss! We love you.
T’s actual birthday is this coming Friday but Kevin and I are celebrating our seven year wedding anniversary with a quick trip to Catalina Island. The corn on the cob turned out to be Taylor’s FAVORITE of the entire party. She carried it around with her most of the event and barely traded it in for cake for a few minutes after much coaxing.
Love this girl to pieces. Can’t believe that she’s already one.
PS Taylor’s first photos, Liv’s first birthday.
Do you have recipes for all the things you made? Specifically, the summer honeydew plus cucumber and feta salad, quinoa and avocado salad, and the baked figs with goat cheese and honey.
Looks delicious!
Thanks,
Lisa
Oooo good questions. I will add to the editorial calendar to get these recipes posted!!
What a gorgeous party! Those figs look so delicious…
Happy birthday to your Taylor!
So glad I sat beside you on Friday morning at Alt! <3
I had such a great time chatting with you! Thanks for stopping by :).
Awwww, what a cutie! You’ve got two beautiful girls there. And that spread sounds absolutely delicious. Especially the figs & cheese. Yum. Happy anniversary to you two and happy birthday to Taylor!
Happy birthday to Taylor- wow, can’t believe it has been a year already. The food looks delish- I love those kinds of relaxed get-togethers.
So cute! Sounds like a great time, I love those kind of gatherings in the comfort of my own backyard :)
Impressive spread! Looks like the adults had as much fun as the little birthday darling : ) . Tips, please, on how you pulled off such a delicious-looking day!
Hi Am, oooo good question! My favorite tip is to preassemble ‘stations’ so that when friends come over to help prep they have all of their materials, a recipe, ingredients, etc to finish whatever it is you assign to them. I’ll work on a blog post!